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DeGette to Ryan on DACA legislation: What are we waiting for?

Sep 1, 2017

Press Release

Denver – In response to House Speaker Paul Ryan’s statement that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is something Congress has to engage in rather than the President simply ending it, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Chief Deputy Whip said, “What are we waiting for?”

“Speaker Ryan has been sitting on legislation that would help DACA recipients remain productive members of our community and seek a pathway to citizenship,” DeGette said. “Now that it looks likely that President Trump will soon end the program, Mr. Ryan is finally moved to act. Well, Mr. Speaker, what are we waiting for? Let’s put legislation on the House floor next week.”

DeGette is a co-sponsor of the BRIDGE Act (H.R. 496), which would ensure that DACA recipients’ status in this country will be extended for at least another three years, as well as the bipartisan American Hope Act (H.R. 3591), which would prevent those qualified for DACA from being deported.

“There are 800,000 DREAMers nationwide, including more than 17,000 in Colorado,” DeGette said. “When President Obama established the program in 2012, he made a promise to these young men and women that America would help them remain productive members of our communities and provide a pathway to citizenship. President Trump may be ready to break this promise, but those of us who still believe in DACA’s goals will continue our efforts to fulfill them.”